For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven - Matthew 5:20

These are the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  Throughout His ministry Jesus contrasted the righteousness of the Jewish leaders and the righteousness that was necessary to enter heaven.  The scribes and Pharisees had an external, legalistic, self-glorifying righteousness that was based on their fastidious obedience to the commandments of the Old Testament.  From an external perspective they appeared to be quite good, but God knew their hearts, that they were wretched, arrogant, and far away from God.  The kind of righteousness God demands is only available as a gift from Him through faith (compare Romans 10:1-4).  It is based on the fact that Jesus fulfilled the Law on our behalf, both passively and actively, fulfilling the just  demands of the Law as well as taking upon himself the penalties for breaking the Law.  But it doesn't end there, God actually fulfills the Law in us, in other words, He gives us a new heart so that we have an internal love and hunger for righteousness that results in deeds of righteousness and love (Titus 2:14).  The righteousness that God demands is provided by God as a gift, received by faith alone and by no other means.  Do you have this righteousness?  If not, turn from your sin today and call upon the Lord and ask Him to give you this righteousness, through faith in Jesus Christ.  Ask Him to create in you a clean heart and give you eternal life (Romans 6:23).